Great Lakes Ecology Home

Great Lakes Curriculum Units developed by 2004 Institute participants

2004 Photo Gallery

Syllabus
(PDF File )

Course Schedule
(PDF File)

DESCRIPTION

This Institute is designed to teach educators about the physical, chemical, and biological components of the Great Lakes ecosystem, using Lake Superior as the classroom.

This one-week course is designed to enhance the ability of educators to teach about Great Lakes ecology, stewardship and environmental careers. Mathematics; life, earth and physical sciences; technology; and social studies content standards will be woven into the experience. Participants will engage in hands-on data collection and analysis, field trips, lab experiences, and discussions with research scientists.

Participants will take several day-trips on Lake Superior and inland lakes aboard Michigan Tech’s research vessel, Agassiz, to sample water chemistry, zooplankton, phytoplankton, sediment, and benthic organisms.

Participants will discover how toxins move between the water and air, study the impact of aquatic exotics on the Great Lakes, sample frogs as bioindicators of environmental health, and learn how remote sensing is used to gather information about large lakes.